National Baseball Congress: A Kansas Baseball Tradition

Tanner Colvin
Aug 3
2 min read

The 92nd edition of the National Baseball Congress World Series concluded on Saturday, August 1, at Equity Bank Park in Wichita, Kansas. For the better part of the past two weeks, Wichita has hosted collegiate baseball players from across the United States.

Before this year’s tournament, we sat down with tournament director Katie Woods for Episode 65 of Ask A Kansan. Katie spoke with us about the history and excitement surrounding the NBC World Series, one of the nation’s most historic summer baseball tournaments. Founder Hap Dumont wasn’t afraid to think outside the box, and several ideas put in place at the NBC have gone on to help shape baseball at other levels.

One of the tournament’s most unique traditions is Baseball Around the Clock, where participants must check in at each of the 11 games during a 33-hour baseball marathon. Despite the intense Kansas summer heat, 121 of the 152 participants completed the challenge—a testament to their dedication and love not only for the game of baseball, but for the tournament itself.

The tournament was everything Katie said it would be, featuring a high level of baseball with 18 teams competing for the chance to be crowned the 2026 NBC World Series champions, including five teams from Kansas. In the end, the Santa Barbara Foresters defeated the Alaska Goldpanners to win their 11th NBC World Series title.

Earlier in the tournament, we had the chance to see three of the Kansas teams in action. On Wednesday, July 29, at Eck Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, the Liberal Bee Jays faced the Hutchinson Monarchs, followed by the Hays Larks taking on the Seattle Cheney Studs.

Game one featured a hard-fought battle between two Kansas squads, with the Monarchs coming out on top 2-1. The Larks faced a tough Studs team in and ended their season with a 3–8 loss in bracket play. The Monarchs returned to action Thursday, where their season came to an end at the hands of the Alaska Goldpanners in a 4–7 loss.

Two other Kansas teams also made the tournament. The Great Bend Bat Cats qualified for the tournament but did not advance to bracket play. The Junction City Brigade had the most success of the Kansas teams, reaching the semifinals before falling to the eventual champions, the Santa Barbara Foresters, 0–7.

From 33 hours of baseball to the final fireworks show following the championship game, the 2026 NBC World Series was one for the ages, and it truly was a tournament for all ages. Fans from near and far enjoyed 10 days of high-quality baseball in a fun, family-friendly environment.

Be sure to put the 2027 NBC World Series on your calendar for next summer!

Photos and article by Tanner Colvin

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